Signaling device



C. R. WEINERT Dec. 29, 1936.

' SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l De@ 29, 1936 c. RfwElNl-:RT 2,065,635

SIGNALING DEVICE Filed Dec. 29, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- '78 5 a2 as univa--- $.15?

:1i- 58 lNvENTOR Patented Dec. 29, 1936 PATENT o-FFICE SIGNALING DEVICE Carl Rv. Weinert, Pittsburgh, Pa., aasignor, by menne assignments, to The Timken Roller Bearing Company, Canton, Ohio, a corporation Application December 29, 1934, Serial No'. 759,699

e Claims.

I'his invention relates generally to signaling devices adapted to operate at a predetermined temperature to protect a structure against excessive temperature. A

Although the signaling device is adapted for use with structures in general which are to be protected against excessive temperature, it will,

be described herein more particularly as applied to a rolling mill. and more especially as applied in such manner as to protect the bearings of a rolling mill from reaching excessive temperatures which would cause them to burn up.

Generally speaking, the signaling device is placed adjacent to the part to be protected, for example in a recess in the bearing block of a rolling mill. The signaling device comprises a signaling charge which may be liquid, solid or gaseous. The signaling charge is placed in the recess in the bearing block in such position as to be operated upon by' a striking head. In those.

cases where a liquid signaling charge is employed, it may be placed in a frangible container such as glass. The striking head also is placed in the recess in such position that when it is released it breaks the frangible container, allowing the liquid signaling material to run out of a drain opening in the bearing block. The signaling material may be of a type such that upon contact with air it produces a smoke which directs the attention of the operator to the bearing. The striking head is retained by means which includes an easily fusible retaining member, such as a low-melting point metal or other suitable material. A firing spring is usually provided which exerts force against the striking head. When the retaining member of easily fusible material attains its softening temperature, it is sheared, thereby releasing the striking head which acts upon the signaling charge to liberate smoke, produce lachrymation or stench, or re a blank cartridge, any of these devices being suitable for calling the attention of the operator to the part to be protected by the signaling device.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of my invention and which are given merely for purposes of illustration without limiting the invention thereto,

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of a rolling mill housing equipped with roller bearings, the bearing blocks being provided with signaling devices in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 isl a sectional view through a portion of the bearing block and showing one of the signaling devices located in a recess in the block;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but illustiiating a slightly modified form of signaling dev ce;

Figures 4 through 8 are sectional views illustrating different types of retaining means for the striking head.. These retaining means may be employed with any oi the structures shown in the other figures; y

Figure 9 illustrates an arrangement in which there are two striking heads which are placed within a frangible container containing a liquid signaling material;

Figure 10 is a sectional view through a portion of a bearing block, the bearing block in this case. being used for supporting a vertical roll instead of a horizontal roll, as in the other embodiments, the recess in the bearing block of Figure l0 extending in a vertical direction;

Figure l1 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3, but containing a solid charge of signaling mate'- rial adapted to liberate lachrymating or stench gas upon ignition of the charge; 'and Figure 12 is a view similar to Figures 2, 3 and 1l, but containing a blank cartridge which when acted upon by the striking head produces a noise.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, and for the present to Figure 1, there is shown somewhat diagrammatically a housing 2' of a rolling mill. The mill may be provided with the usual 'bearing blocks 3 for supporting roller bearings il. `The bearing blocks are provided with recesses 5 adjacent the roller bearings and signaling devices,v indicated generally by the reference numeral t and adapted to operate when the bearings reach a predetermined temperature, are located in the recesses t.

Referring to Figure 2, the signaling device comprises a striking head l retained in a retaining sleeve 8. The retaining sleeve is provided with an annular interior flange e. against one side of which bears a firing spring III, the other end of the spring pressing against the striking head l. The threaded end II of a bolt I2' is threaded into the shank I3 of the striking head. The head I4 of the bolt presses against a washer I5 which seats against one side of the annular ange 9. The striking head I is accordingly retained in position against the action of the spring I0 by the washer I5. The washer may be made of an easily fusible metal such as Woods metal and consisting essentially of lead, tin, bismuth and cadmium. This particular metal softens at a temperature .of about 174 F. Other easily fusible metals or alloys or other materials may be employed dependent upon the temperatureat which it is desired the retaining washer soften. Where it is desired that the retaining member or washer melt at very low temperatures, alloys of mercury may be employed or even non-metallic materials such as beeswax may be used.

A glass or other frangible container I6 containing a liquid signaling material is also placed in the recess 5. One substance suitable for this purpose is titanium tetrachloride which, upon contact with moisture, forms titanium oxide and hydrochloric acid, thereby producing a smoke. Other liquid smoke producing materials, such as a mixture of chlorsulfonic acid and sulfur trioxide, may be employed, or as hereinafter described, solid materials may be used. l

The retaining sleeve 8 is maintained at one end of the recess in the housing by a spacing means such as a perforated metal cylinder I1. The open end of the recess in the housing is closed by an end plug I8 which is threadedV into the recess, and for this purpose is provided with holes I9 for receiving a spanner wrench. The end plug is also provided with an air vent 20 and the bearing block is provided with a drain opening 2|.

The operation is as follows: When the bearing 4 reaches a predetermined temperature corresponding to the softening temperature of the.

washer I5, the spring i causes the head |4 of the bolt I2 to shear the washer and the striking head 1 is thereby released. The striking head breaks the container I6 and allows the liquid signaling material to run out through the openings in the cylinder i1 and the drain hole 2|, thereby producing a smoke which attracts the attention of the operator.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the construction is identical with that shown in Figure 2, except that a spring 25 is used in place of the perforated metal cylinder I1 for retaining the retaining sleeve 8 in place and providing openings through which the liquid signaling material may run out While preventing the broken glass of the container from clogging the opening 2|.

Various other means may be used in place of the washer shown in Figure 2 for retaining the striking head 1 against the pressure of the spring I0. In Figure 4 the head 26 of the bolt |2 is made of easily fusible metal and the shank 21 of the bolt passes through an opening 28 formed in the sleeve 8. When the bolt head 26 reaches the predetermined temperature, it shears from the shank 21, thereby releasing the striking head 1 which acts upon the signaling charge as previously described.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a washer 29 of easily fusible material is used for retaining 'the striking head 1 against the tension of the spring i0. The Awasher 29 seats against a shoulder 30 formed in the sleeve 8 and the spring is compressed between an annular flange 3| and the head 1.

Figure 6 illustrates a modification in which a cup-shaped retaining means 32 is employed. The shank 33 of the striking head is threaded into an end 34 of the retaining means and a spring 35 surrounds the shank and presses against the striking head 36 and against the end 34 of the retaining means. A portion 31 of the shank of the striking head is made of easily fusible metal so that when the device reaches the predetermined temperature, the shank parts, thereby releasing thc striking head 36.

' In the device shown in Figure 7, a striking head 40 extends partially through an opening in a plate 4| of easily fusible metal, the head being under the compression of a spring 42 having one end bearing against a plate 43. The plates 4| and 43 are connected by bolts 44. Similarly to the other embodiments, the head 40 is released zvhen the r plate 4| reaches its softening temperaure.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, one end 45 of a bolt is threaded into a striking head 46 and the other end 41 fits into a socket 48 carried by a retaining member 49. The end 41 of the bolt and the socket 48 are formed ,with openings which receive a shear pin 50 of easily fusible metal which may be placed in position through openings 5| in the retaining member. A compression spring 52 is also provided for the striking head. The shear pin 50 shears when it reaches a predetermined temperature, thereby releasing the striking head 46.

Instead of locating the striking head and retaining means outside of and spaced from the charge of signaling material, they may, when the signaling material is a liquid or gas, be placed within the frangible container containing the liquid or gaseous signaling material. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 9. A glass container 55 containing liquid signaling material 56 is closed by a glass plate 51 retained by a metal ring 58 which is threaded onto the container, the plate being sealed by a washer 59 of rubber or other suitable material. Inside of the container are two striking heads 60, the Shanks 6| and 62 being provided, respectively, with a recess 63 and a projection 64. A pin 65 of easily fusible metal connects the two shanks together and retains them in position against the action of a compression spring 66. Upon the device reaching a predetermined temperature, the pin 65 is sheared and the striking heads 60 break the container, liberating the charge 56. It will be understood that the container is placed in a recess in the bearing or other structure which it is desired to protect against excessive temperature, and that the structure is provided with a drain hole similar to that described in the other embodiments.

Where the signaling device is to be used in a vertical position, such as might be the case with a bearing for vertical rolls of a rolling mill the firing spring, such as spring I0 shown in Figure 2, may be dispensed with and gravity may be utilized for shattering the container containing the liquid signaling material. Also, the spring may be dispensed with in those cases where the signaling material is a solid, provided that the signaling device is located in such manner that gravity causes the shearing of the retaining member when the predetermined temperature lis reached. The device shown in Figure is essentially similar to that shown in Figure 2, ex-

cept that no firing spring corresponding to the spring-I0 is employed. In the embodiment shown in Figure 10, the striking head 10 is made considerably heavier, so that when the washer 1I of easily fusible material softens upon it reaching a predetermined temperature, the weight of the striking head 10 causes the washer to be sheared by the bolt head 12. Upon release of the striking head 10, it breaks the glass container 13 and the liquid runs out of the drain opening 14. An air vent opening 15 aids in the discharge of the material. Y

A charge of solid signaling material may be employed instead of a liquid, one such embodiment being illustrated in Figure 1l. In this iig- 18, bolt 18, spring 80 and washer 8|' of easily fusible material are the same as in Figure 2.

i The solid signaling material is of a type which liberates a lachrymatory or stench producing gas. I f it is desired to produce a lachrymatory gas, a charge 82 of chloracetophenone and smokeless powder may be employed in a foraminous container 88. The container 83 is provided at one end with a detonator 84 and a coating 85 ofeasily ignitible material is formed on the outside of the foraminous container in vorder to conduct the combustion over the entire surface area of the mass in the container. The coating 85 may be made of a paste of black powder and a binder such as collodion. The striking head Il is maintained in spaced relation with respect to the foraminous container 83 by a metallic container 86, and the end of the recess B1 in the bearing block is closed by an end plug 88 provided with openings 89 for the discharge of the gas liberated upon combustion of the charge 82. In operation, the washer di of easily fusible material softens when the predetermined temperature isreached, thereby allowing the spring i9 to shear the washer and release the striking head ll. The head strikes against the detonator 84 and ignites the charge d2, the resulting gases escaping through the openings 89.

Instead of usingv signaling material which 'liberates s. smoke or a gas, I may employ an explosive charge which, upon being exploded, causes a noise or report which directs the attention of the operator to the structure to which the signaling device is applied. Thus, in the embodiment shown in Figure l2, I use a blank cartridge @d containing a charge 9i of powder, the cartridge being provided with a detonator 92 adapted to be operated by a striking head @d arranged in the same manner as described in connection with Figure l1. The cartridge 9@ is received in an end plug ed which is threaded into the recess 95 in the bearing block Sd.

It will be understood that the signaling material may be either liquid, solid or gaseous and of a character to produce a smoke, a lachrymatory or stench gas, or the material may be of -an explosive character which, when ignited, explodes producing a report which attracts the attention oi the operator of the machine. If a smoke producing liquid is used, I prefer to employ titanium tetrachloride, although a mixture of chlorsulionic acid and sulfur trioxide may be used. A suitable stench producing liquid is pyridine. For producing lachrymating gases, I may use a solution oi chloracetophenone or ethyl bromacetate. A suitable solid mixture for producing smoke contains hexachlorethane, zinc and zinc oxide, to which may be added accelerators such as ammonium perchlorate or potassium nitrate, and a cooling agent such as ammonium chloride.. Such mixture produces a smoke upon ignition.' The invention is applicable irrespective of the particular type of material for attracting the attention of the operator, and I have therefore designated these various compositions as signaling material.

Thev invention is applicable not only to protecting parts of rolling mills from overheating, .but

may be employed in any place where it is desired to attract the attention of an operator if the structure exceeds a certain predetermined temperature. The signaling device -may be located adjacent the bearings in all types of machines. It may be used in maintaining at a predetermined temperature a drying room used for drying powder. It may also be used in connection with hot water boilers, or, in fact, any structure which should be maintained below a predetermined temperature.

I have illustrated and described certain embodiments oi my invention. It will be understood, however, that the invention may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

l. The combination with a structure to be protected against excessive temperature and provided with a recess, of a signaling device located in the recess and adapted to operate at a predetermined temperature, said device comprising a striking head, retaining means for the head including a retaining member of easily fusible material, a firing spring for the head, a frangible container containing a liquid signaling charge, andan end plug in the recess, said structure being provided with a drain opening communieating with the recess, said retaining member adapted to be sheared at a predetermined temperature to release said striking head for breaking said irangible container.

2. The combination with a structure to be protected against excessive temperature and provided with a recess, of a signaling device located in the recess and adapted to operate at a predetermined temperature, said device comprising a striking head, retaining means for the head including a retaining member of easily fusible material, a ilring spring for the head, a rangible container containing a liquid signaling charge, means for spacing the retaining means from the frangible container, and an end plug in the recess, said structure being provided with a drain openlng communicating with the recess, said retaining member adapted to be sheared at a predetermined temperature to release said strildng head for breaking said frangible container.

3. The combination with a structure to be protected against excessive temperature and provided with a recess, of a signaling device located in the recess and adapted to operate at a predetermined temperature, said device comprising a striking head, retaining means for the head including a retaining member of easily fusible material, a iiring spring for the head, a i'rangible container containing a liquid signaling charge, means for spacing the retaining means from the irangible container, and an end plug in the recess, said structure and end plug being provided with a drain opening and an air vent communicating with the recess, said retaining member adapted to be sheared at a predetermined temperature to release said striking head for breaking said frangible container.

4. The combination with a rolling mill provided with a bearing to be protected against excessive temperature, oi a signaling device located adjacent the bearing in a recess and adapted to operate at a predetermined temperature, said device comprising a striking head, retaining means for the head including a retaining member of easily fusible material, a ring spring for the head, a frangible container containing a liquid signaling charge, means for spacing the retaining means from the frangible container, and an end plug in the recess, said bearing being provided with a drain opening communicating with the recess, said retaining member adapted to be sheared at a predetermined temperature to release said striking head for breaking said frangible container.

5. A signaling device comprising a striking head, a retaining member of easily fusible material, means extending from the striking head and anchored in the retaining member and arranged to hold the striking head in retracted position and to shear a passage through the retaining member at a predetermned temperature to release s id head, and a frangibie container containing a liquid signaling material and arranged to be broken by said head.

6. A signaling device comprisingr a striking head, a sleeve, a retaining member of easily fusible material within said sleeve, means extending from the striking head and anchored in the retaining member and arranged to hold the striking head in retracted position and to shear a passage through the retaining member at a predetermined temperature to release said head, and a frangble container containing a liquid signaling material and arranged to be broken by said head.

7. In combination, a bearing, a housing therefor provided adjacent to said bearing with a bore in communication with the atmosphere, and a telltale comprising a container mounted in said bore, and means mounted in said bore exteriorly of the container therein for rupturing said container at a predetermined temperature of said bearing.

8. In combination, a shaft, a housing therefor, Ta roller bearing interposed between said shai't and said housing, said housing being provided adjacent to said bearing with a bore having an opening in communication with the atmosphere, and a telltale mounted in said bore comprising a closed vessel adapted to contain a signaling material, and mechanical means for rupturing said container at a predetermined temperature CARL R. WEINERT. 

